Louth residents to begin therapeutic knitting

27th November 2012

A new scheme to be trialled in early 2013 is encouraging people to feel the therapeutic benefits of knitting.

East Lindsey District Council, in association with the Trinity Centre in Louth, is asking residents to pick up some yarn and join a series of group sessions to improve their mental wellbeing, the Louth Leader reported.

Taster classes will run between December 5th and 12th, before beginning properly on January 9th. Sessions will be available until February 27th at the Holy Trinity Church, giving participants the chance to learn basic stitches, casting on and off, and making simple items.

The idea behind the classes is to increase self-confidence, self-esteem and mental and social wellbeing, while reducing stress, depression and anxiety, according to the newspaper.

Part of the council's Arts on Prescription programme and delivered through the HEELERS scheme, it hopes to improve health through arts and cultural activities.

Research has previously shown that art can help to address mental health issues, including depression. Benefits have also been noted among dementia patients, as activities can help to trigger memories and have a calming influence. Arts4Dementia claim that simple activities like singing a song or getting people to discuss paintings can evoke a response in patients.

In addition to creating something positive using classic knitting patterns, the pursuit can help to give individuals a goal to focus on at a time when they may feel lost or without purpose.

Tanya Parieaux recently explained to Issaquah Press that knitting helped her get through her battle with breast cancer by taking her mind off illness.

"I had a hard time focusing on television and reading books and things, because I just keep thinking I have cancer, I have cancer, I have cancer," she stated

However, she found that knitting occupied her thoughts and allowed her to pass the time.